Oh come on, they're not that bad, are they? Chances are, you've been memorizing them in a list where you almost have to recite the three mutations (conjugations) to be able to use the second one or the third one. This is an acceptable method if you are able to use the three without hesitating too much. And if you have a lot of time to recite the three forms of the verb each time you need to use one.
However, there are better ways. Contextualization is the key, in my opinion. Below is a first series of irregular verbs in different sentences, including sentences (answers) that you will need to construct. Take the time to go through them and really do them, i.e. thinking about each answer. Take as much time as you need before checking the answers which will be at the bottom of the page ... eventually. Then, once you have finished the exercises, try using the verbs apart from these contexts making your own sentences with them.
And most of all ... enjoy!
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IRREGULAR VERBS IN CONTEXT
Part 1
DIRECTIONS: Conjugate each verb in the past tense and
include the stimulus in your answer. Use
only whole sentences.
1. Did he find the things he needed? (Yes, after looking)
2. Did she sit down after lunch? (Yes, for a while)
3. Did you lay my clothes out for tomorrow? (Yes: two outfits on your bed)
4. Did he set the table? (Yes, right away on arrival)
5. Did they put their shoes away? (Yes, on getting back home)
6. Did you get up early this morning? (Yes, at 5:00)
7. Did she swim the entire kilometer? (Yes, but in an hour)
8. Did you see the new Almodóvar film yesterday? (Yes, at a matinee)
9. I can't remember: did I think
to remind you of our appointment? (Yes, a good thing too!)
10. Did we meet at the last conference? (Yes, at the welcome lunch)
Part 2
DIRECTIONS: Form an answer using the information on the
right and conjugating the verb in the sentence in the past tense.
1. Where did you eat dinner last night? (at Victoria's)
2. Who did he drive with to dinner? (with his parents)
3. How much did their new car cost? (an arm and a leg)
4. Where did she go after school today? (to the gym)
5. How did your colleague feel after eating at that new
place today? (queasy)
6. Why did he keep speaking to her after their argument? (needed some information)
7. When did we shake hands? (after making up)
8. Where did the bee sting the little boy? (on his
shoulder)
9. How did you spell that word? (with only one L)
10. How far did you understand the President's speech? (up to the part about his
new philosophy)
Part 3
DIRECTIONS: Complete the sentences according to the each
one's context using the simple past tense and the words in parentheses.
1. We didn't notice that ... (ice / melt)
2. She didn't tell me that ... (take / photos)
3. It wasn't until dinner was served that
... (light / some candles)
4. While walking down the street, the student
was looking at his phone so much that... (fall
/ on this face)
5. It was so cold out that ... (the
lake / freeze / quickly)
6. You wanted some coffee so I ... (grind / some beans)
7. The movers were so rough that ... (bend / my new refrigerator)
8. I took out my wedding suit, but ...
(fit / too snugly / to wear)
9. My husband was having a nightmare so
... (wake / gently)
10. Her nose was running so much that
... (I / give / a pack of
tissues)
Part 4
DIRECTIONS: Now make your own sentences using the words
and filling in any missing words you may need to complete each example.
- the professor / choose / not to accept / their late assignments
- you
/ give / me / a terrible
fright!
- who
/ draw / your portrait?
- they
/ lose / all their belongings
/ fire
- he
/ pay / far too much / that
shirt / my opinion
- my
son / ride / the day care center
/ in the front seat
- the
doorbell / ring / too softly
/ for me / to hear
- the
Titanic / sink / in the North
Atlantic / mid April 1912
- "I
/ shoot / the sheriffBut / I / not shoot / the deputy" (Eric Clapton)
- she / hear / a rumor / a major change / her company
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